Arjun Bijlani, known for shows like Naagin 3, Ishq Mein Marjawan, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi and Pyaar Ka Pehla Adhyaya: Shiv Shakti, has completed 22 years in the entertainment industry. Reflecting on his journey, the actor shares, “It has been an amazing journey filled with countless shows, immense love, recognition, and fame, along with its fair share of ups and downs. I’ve had the opportunity to work across Indian television, films, music videos, and OTT platforms, and by God’s grace, the love and admiration I continue to receive from my fans has made this journey truly memorable. I am grateful to my audience who showered their love on me.” ‘Naagin 3 still tops the list of my favourite shows’ Arjun, who debuted on TV with the daily soap Kartika opposite Jennifer Winget, went on to do several soaps, including Left Right Left, Miley Jab Hum Tum, and Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi, among others. But a significant turning point came in his life when he did Naagin 3, bringing him massive recognition as an actor. “Nothing is better than a role which is loved by one and all. Naagin 3 still tops the list of my favourite shows as it gave me immense popularity. It was a career-defining experience for me. Also, Khatron Ke Khiladi was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. I worked very hard and it paid off well when I lifted the winner’s trophy. The show not only brought me fame and recognition but also taught me valuable life lessons about patience and staying focused. With these attributes, I could achieve what I had been dreaming of all my life. One needs to have a calm mind and bring a balance so that he does not get distracted. I followed the mantra and won the show, which tested my capabilities to the core. It’s not easy to be relevant even after so many years,” he says. ‘Ayaan’s birth was the best thing to happen during my lowest phase’ While celebrating 20-plus years in showbiz, Arjun recalls his career’s low phase too. “There was a time when I was not happy with the kind of roles I was being offered, so I had to turn them down. Financial losses added to my misery, making it more difficult to trust my choices. Some promising projects slipped through my fingers, but eventually, things began to fall into place. I got better projects than I expected,” he shares. He adds, “The best thing that happened during the lowest phase of my life was the birth of my son Ayaan. Slowly and gradually, my life started getting back on track. That was the moment I realised that God’s timing is always perfect. One should never lose hope, but instead have complete faith in Him — eventually, everything falls back into place.” ‘Great to do a show that’s not scripted’ The actor is currently seen in the third season of Laughter Chefs – Unlimited Entertainment. He says, “The best part about the show is that it’s not scripted. It’s full of entertainment, fun, and masti. I am not a trained cook, but I truly enjoy cooking on the show. At times, we goof up since we are not professional chefs, but we are trying our best to entertain our audiences.”
